Garden Update

Cucumbers.  We've got cucumbers.  Plenty of cucumbers coming out of the garden.  And being the cheap ass that I am, we're eating them all.  Cucumbers three nights in a row.  Cucumber salad with yogurt.  Sauteed cucumbers (cut into matchsticks and tossed in butter).  Cucumber Fool or as I like to call it:  Cucumber.  (long pause).  FOOL.  (actually a very tasty blended soup with scallions, sour cream and dill.)  Julia Child, or JC as we call her, has tons of cucumber recipes.  And we're going to try every one.

The cantalope/cantaloupes are just going crazy.  We have 5 or 6 mellons are ripening, but have a ways to go.  I decided to cut back the vines because they were taking over.  They were all over where the beets and carrots are supposed to be and were heading towards the herbs. 

The squash look like crap.  The zukes look like they are on their last legs (last vines?).  No blossoms and no edible zukes.  Lots of rotting ones though that we are tossing directly into the compost pile.  Same with the yellow squash.  One yellow squash plant is melting.  I hope that 3 days of sunshine will help revive the squash harvest. 

The peppers are pathetic.  They finally started growing and some bug has eaten nearly all their leaves.  I have 5 pepper plants and we're going to get nada for peppers. There go the visions of roasting fresh red peppers and freezing them for the winter. I also have three "sweet italian" pepper plants which all have a long pepper on them, but I'm not sure when I'm supposed to harvest them.  I think they should turn red.  Dave is anxious and wants to pull them off now.

It looks like we'll be able to have swiss chard this weekend.  They are looking good.  And the pole beans are looking productive too.  I think I may be able to pick enough for a meal this week too.  The tomatoes are being very productive, but most everyone is green.  I did find two ripe enough ones yesterday:  a fancy yellow one and a regular red one.  Apparently, you're supposed to pick them when they are not quite ripe off the vine and then let them finish ripening on the window sill.  There's a reason for that, and Dave knows it, but he's in the shower right now. I'll post why when I can get the info. 

The eggplant plants have made a gallant effort and are growing by leaps and bounds.  I spotted  a few potential eggers yesterday.  They'll probably be ready next week.

The herbs are hanging in there.  The basil, dill, MINT and CHIVES are huge!  The rosemary bush is finally growing.  The sage is hanging in there, but I don't know why.  The Oregano has come back from the edge of death.  I figure I have enough for one meal out of that. 

Finally, the other shubbery from around the yard.  I am disappointed in our butterfly bushes.  Despite being over 8 feet tall (I am NOT kidding), they are miserly with their blooms.  I have yet to see one butterfly or hummingbird seduced by their charms.  The ivy has died, Died, DIED!  The ivy death we're most proud of is the one climbing about 60 feet up a tree.  Dave had to hack at it with an axe, and now we are joyous over the brown ropes hanging off the tree.  Soon the ropes will fall and next year, that tree will sprout some new limbs.  Death to all ivy in trees, my friends. 

Tonight is graduation for Advanced Dog training.  I have to do a few review lessons this morning.  Last night, Patches heeled around the house doing every single thing we asked WITHOUT a leash. (including both the AKC and German turns!)  That's a big deal!  Let's hope he's in a showing off mood tonight!

7:39:50 AM